Brodie Ryan, the girlfriend of football legend Nathan Buckley, has exclusively revealed how the couple are taking their romance to the next level by purchasing a property together in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs.
The 35-year-old business manager spoke to Daily Mail Australia while enjoying the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday and also opened up about what makes their relationship tick.
Ryan and Buckley, 52, have been dating since October 2022 and are regulars on the red carpet at big events such as the AFL’s Brownlow Medal ceremony.
She has described her man as a ‘hottie’ and he has revealed that he is supporting her as she battles a health issue that has seen her suffer seizures in recent years.
On Tuesday, Ryan was discussing his Christmas holiday plans with the former Collingwood star and coach when she revealed why their romance is going from strength to strength.
“My last family Christmas was in Bendigo, so we might go there, but Nath and I are also getting in the caravan and doing a three-week road trip along the coast to New South Wales,” he said.
When asked how he would cope with spending three weeks in a caravan with his partner, Ryan didn’t hesitate to reply: “We’re doing great.” He is my best friend and I am his.
But the real revelation came when we asked if the couple lived together.
Brodie Ryan and Nathan Buckley’s romance has gone from strength to strength since they first went public in October 2022 (the couple is pictured at this year’s Derby Day).
Ryan (pictured with Buckley at this year’s Brownlow Medal ceremony) said the key to their romance is the fact they are best friends.
“Yes, we bought a house in Elwood and moved in June,” Ryan responded.
Located just south of St Kilda, on the shores of Port Phillip, the suburb has some highly sought-after properties, with the average house price at around $2.1 million.
Famous Elwood residents past and present include film and television stars Asher Keddie, Magda Szubanski and Jane Turner.
In September, Buckley revealed that he was helping Ryan in his fight against epilepsy.
“It’s Brodes’ story to tell, but she’s had some upheavals in the last four or five years and she’s still in the process of figuring out exactly what that means for her,” Buckley said while participating in a charity event to raise funds for those with the condition.
“She’s had one or two (seizures) in the last two and a half years of our relationship and we’re in the process of figuring out what’s going on and getting to the bottom of it,” he continued.
“As you can imagine, it’s pretty scary to go from operating to actually failing, so you’re in the process of figuring out what’s causing it and how it happens.”
The couple live together in a house they bought in Melbourne’s sought-after bayside suburb of Elwood, Ryan exclusively told Daily Mail Australia.
Ryan and Buckley are pictured with the former Collingwood star’s children on a US holiday they took last year.
The 35-year-old businesswoman (pictured at the Melbourne Cup this year) has already praised her man as a “beautiful person”.
Buckley said that by publicly discussing the issue, he hopes to remove the stigma around the disease and help Ryan, 35, “understand it a little better.”
Ryan previously revealed that she and Buckley were connected by their similar upbringing.
Despite their 17-year age difference, he said they have a lot in common and push each other every day to be their best selves.
‘Helping others be the best version of themselves and prioritizing their mental health and wellbeing and giving back to others is a passion that both Nath and I have always shared. “These topics were a big draw for everyone at first,” he said.
‘We had a very similar upbringing and shared many of the same values because of this.
‘I have always been passionate about helping others where I can, and having a partner who exercises this same passion every day with their family, friends and the wider community inspires me.
“He is a beautiful person.”
Ryan also gushed about her man before their date at the Brownlow in September.
“I’m proud to go with him and all his accomplishments, but he’s just a sweetheart, so I like being on his arm,” she said.
“He’s going to clean up nicely this year… There aren’t many opportunities in anyone’s life, other than a wedding day or a Deb dance, to dress up and feel like a princess for a night.”
Buckley has no shortage of praise for his better half either.
‘I feel very lucky to have known Brodie as a partner I love and respect. “Life is good,” he said last year.